Archive for December, 2010

Footballer privacy scandal a reminder of cyber-safety for GLBT community

// December 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // Media discussion, Within Victoria

As news breaks about compromising images of three St Kilda footballers being posted on Facebook, the involvement of a 17 year-old girl in publishing these photos on her Facebook page and questions of how this all came to be, the AVP sees this as a timely warning to the GLBT community about protecting their personal privacy when on-line.

AVP head Greg Adkins says that this safety concern extends to meeting people on-line and providing them with access to homes within a few hours of first meeting.

Check out his comments in Melbourne’s gay and lesbian print media HERE.

New violence report received of harassment in St Kilda

// December 16th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Incidents, Within Victoria

A new report of homophobic harassment has been received from the St Kilda foreshore area near St Kilda Pier.

Two gay men were verbally harassed by groups of people numbering between three and four people, up to 15 people, as they walked to the pier. Some escalation of language appears to have taken place. More information will be posted here SOON.

Harassment and violence ALERT!

// December 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Incidents, Media discussion, Within Victoria

Over each of tha AVP’s fourteen years of data collection, the 2010/11 Xmas and new Year period is shaping up as no exception with an increase in homophobic harassment and prejudice motivated violence against individuals in the GLBT community already appearing as the warmer days and nights of Summer bring more people out of their homes in the suburbs into areas with diverse communities.  Add alcohol, groups of men, testosterone to ignorance and homophobia and its a potent mix for violence.

Starting in October, two men were hunted down in Collingwood by a four person gang with “the intent (according to Detective Senior Constable Matt Archer) to assault and to assault homosexuals”.

Read more about this incident HERE and further gay print media coverage HERE

The AVP asks anyone, with information that might assist police in locating the fourth suspect, to call police on 000 or make contact with the AVP on 0407664442.